I was shocked. After the gentle kisses on the doorstep, this was another turn altogether.

‘If you want that kind of visit, there are lassies downstairs in the lushery who might join you for a few pennies,’ I retorted.

He laughed gently.

‘I knew you would refuse me,’ he said. ‘Truth be told, I am not interested in those types of girls.’ He wiped his hand across his chin, it was cleanly shaved, and I guessed he had likely visited the barber first thing, on my account. I wanted to touch it, to kiss him, but I dared not, for I knew that if I did I would want to go to his room. ‘In fact I was going to ask you a certain question,’ he went on. ‘See, I have something here that I should like you to have.’

With the flourish of a conjurer he produced, as if from nowhere, a golden ring set with twinkly gems that looked just like diamonds.

I gasped and took it and put it on my finger, and it fitted an absolute treat. Spencer watched, chuckling as I turned it in the light.

‘Are they real gems?’ I asked, for it did look a sparkler but I couldn’t imagine he could have afforded diamonds that size, not even with all the perfume he sold.

‘Real enough,’ he replied. ‘I got it for a song, as I was in a rush to put something on your finger. But that’s another story for another day. When we are in London I shall take you to a jeweller and get you a proper ring with a real diamond – how does that sound?’

It sounded marvellous.

‘So we are engaged to be married now, Maggie Dickson. Let’s set up home here in town for a while, then get ourselves off to London when I’ve saved us enough money. What do you say? I’ll need a base here in Musselburgh for another year or so, whilst I establish myself, and it’s the best location for my line of work. One day I’ll have trusted men in my employ, who can do all the hard work. We’ll set up a perfume shop of our own in London, and you can serve the ladies and I can serve the gents. Does that suit you?’

It didn’t just suit me, it was the most thrilling thing ever. It was an unexpected turn. It was a rush of love. It was my ticket out of town. How many times had I dreamed of London; pored over my map and imagined being a London girl? Well, now I could be.

I went home to announce my engagement, my head a-whirr with coffee and promises.

Chapter Seven

Fisherrow
December 1723